What To Do and When To Do It

When You Connect to the Internet the First Time

  1. If you have a high-speed connection, install a hardware firewall
  2. If you chose to buy commercial security software, install it before you connect to the Internet. Otherwise, download and install a personal firewall, anti-virus software, and anti-spyware software
  3. Run Windows Update and install all the available updates

Every Time You Use the Internet

  1. Do not use Internet Explorer to surf the web. Internet Explorer contains features that allow good integration with other Microsoft software, but those features also increase the risk of getting bad programs, especially spyware. A good alternative is Firefox. Download it, use it, and keep it up-to-date.
  2. Pay attention to pop-up boxes. Some bad programs are disguised as attractive programs that are offered to you as you surf the Internet. If in doubt, SAY NO to any offer appearing in a pop-up box.
  3. Do not open email attachments you were not expecting. Some bad programs get installed when they are opened by people reading their email.
  4. Be on the lookout for email con-artists who attempt to lure you to banking or financial sites (so called "phishing" attacks). These bad guys create false bank or financial sites (Paypal is a popular choice) and then attempt to lure you there to capture your username and password. Do not respond to email requests to login to your financial accounts and do not click on links contained in suspicious email messages.
  5. Choose good passwords that cannot be guessed. It is OK to write your passwords down as long as the paper is kept in a secure place (e.g., in your wallet).
  6. If you are using a dial-up connection, unplug the computer from the phone jack when not in use.

Every Day

  1. Reboot your computer and check for messages and warnings during the startup.

Every Week

  1. Manually update and scan for spyware
  2. Backup your data files

Every Month:

  1. Review recent news about Internet security issues and solutions
  2. Check for updates for other software packages. For example, Microsoft Office has an update service similar to Windows Update and you should use it to check for updates and fixes.

Every Year

  1. Review the age of your computer, the operating system, and your application software. Many problems are caused by having old programs with known problems. Considering upgrading or replacing your computer and/or software if they are getting too old. If you are not running the latest operating system (currently Windows XP Service Pack 2), you may be vulnerable.

Essential Security Steps